Inseparable - Review
* 22 November 2011

In the first of an occasional series, we're reviewing older
films and television featuring the Sherlock cast before they
appeared in the series. Here, it's a short film named Inseparable,
featuring Benedict Cumberbatch. It has recently been released on
iTunes for download.

Currently the makers of this film, Area17,
are developing a feature length version of Inseparable and need
your support in order to get in made. Details on how you can help
them, can be found at the bottom of our review.

An ethereal, moving short film, Inseparable is a simple piece
with a twist in the tale. It's about losing everything and gaining
a second chance, with a slightly darker undercurrent running
beneath the surface.

Made in 2007, it stars Benedict Cumberbatch in dual roles - twin
brothers, one an affluent husband and father (Joe), the other a
destitute gambler and drunkard (Charlie). When one is diagnosed
with a terminal illness, it is a chance for reconciliation for them
both, and a new start.

As is often the case with short films, this has an excellent
central conceit that cannot be deeply explored in the runtime.
Instead, we have a tremendous mood piece, almost wordless, that
rests fully on the shoulders of Cumberbatch. For the opening three
minutes, there is almost no dialogue, just the quiet horror of the
doctor's office giving way to the overspilling emotion of the
results. Rather than an 'acting' piece, it is performance that
rules the day here, little gestures - a tremble of the hand when
removing a pair of glasses - made large and magnified thanks to the
simple realistic horror of the situation. To then cut
away from this broken yet dignified man to his twin, shows the
range Cumberbatch possesses. The polar opposite in manner, he slurs
his speech, shifts his body weight and is effectively someone else
entirely. The two characters have two different stories,
motivations and directions. Equally poignant, equally moving, and
yet Cumberbatch's dialogue must consist of under two-dozen words
throughout. Also excellent in her small screen time is Natalie
Press - her reaction in the final scene of the film is incredibly
emotional, yet tinged with realistic dawning horror, as befits the
situation.

Technically, the film is beautiful. Shot through with light and
soft background focus, the camerawork lends to the evocative mood.
Reinforced by the light yet driving instrumental soundtrack and
sparse sound design, the effect is like being trapped in a vacuum,
heightening the images onscreen and making everything appear so
much more immediate. The only fault that could be found in
this production is the sense of immense waste in telling it under
ten minutes. The material alone could make for a feature length
film or two or three part television series. However what
Cumberbatch manages in this time is more than many actors could
hope to in ten times the screen time.

Inseparable is available on iTunes US priced $1.99 or iTunes UK priced £1.49 and in our opinion,
well worth the money!

HELP Area17 MAKE A FEATURE FILM
OF INSEPARABLE!

Area17 are developing a full length
feature version of their short film, starring Benedict Cumberbatch
and Natalie Press, and need your support to get it made. Please let
them know if you would like to see this film made by "liking"
theirFaceBook page here and leaving a
comment!